✦ UFORPROTO SERVICES ✦

Plastic Prototyping Services

Quick turn-around for pre-production quantity manufacturing, allows customers to validate efficiencies in "real time" while transitioning into the manufacturing process.

CNC Machining Services for Custom Parts

RapidDirect delivers custom online CNC machining services from rapid machining to high-volume production, shipping globally from China’s owned CNC factories and manufacturing network. With 700+ CNC machines for milling, turning, routing, EDM, drilling, and precision grinding, we handle both simple and complex parts with lead times as fast as 1 day. Backed by ISO certifications, we ensure precision and consistency every time.

Plastic Prototypin

With 200+ milling centers, including 3-axis, 4-axis and advanced 5-axis CNC mills, we can easily handle tight-tolerance parts and complex geometries in plastic and metal. Serving diverse industries and specializing in mold making.

Prototype Build

3D Printing

Sheet Metal Prototype

Vacuum Casting

Why Choose UForProto for Plastic Prototyping Service?

Endless Options

Choose from thousands of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.

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Easy to Use

Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.

Vetted Network

We are ISO 9001, ISO 13485, IATF 16949, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers pass our qualification process.

How to make plastic prototypes?

Plastic CNC Machining Materials

ABS

High-strength engineering plastic used for many commercial products.

Learn more about ABS for CNC machining.

Acrylic

A clear glass-like plastic. Good wear and tear properties. Great for outdoor use.

Delrin (Acetal)

Acetal
Delrin 150
Delrin 100

Resin with good moisture resistance, high wear resistance, and low friction. Learn more about Delrin for CNC machining.

Garolite

Garolite G10 (FR4)
Garolite G10 (non-FR)
Garolite G11 (FR5)

Constructed of an epoxy resin with fiberglass fabric reinforcement, also called epoxy-grade industrial laminate and phenolic, this material offers high strength and low moisture absorption. Learn more about garolite G10 for CNC machining and phenolic machining.

HDPE

High-density polyethylene is a moisture and chemical-resistant plastic with good impact strength. The material is outstanding for outdoor applications as well as watertight containers or seals.

Learn more about HDPE for CNC machining.

Nylon 6/6

Offers increased mechanical strength, rigidity, good stability under heat and/or chemical resistance. Learn more about Nylon 6/6 for CNC machining.

PC (Polycarbonate)

With almost twice the tensile strength of ABS, polycarbonate has superior mechanical and structural properties. Used widely in automotive, aerospace, and other applications that require durability and stability. Learn more about PC for CNC machining.

PEEK

PEEK PEEK (USP Class VI TECAPEEK) PEEK GF30 Offering excellent tensile strength, PEEK is often used as a lightweight substitute for metal parts in high-temperature, high-stress applications. PEEK resists chemicals, wear, and moisture. Learn more about PEEK for CNC machining.

Polypropylene

Has excellent electrical properties and little or no moisture absorption. It carries light loads for a long period in widely varying temperatures. It can be machined into parts requiring chemical or corrosion resistance. Learn more about polypropylene for CNC machining.

PTFE (Teflon)

This material surpasses most plastics when it comes to chemical resistance and performance in extreme temperatures. It resists most solvents and is an excellent electrical insulator. Learn more about PTFE for CNC machining.

UHMW PE

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. A general-purpose material. It offers a unique combination of wear and corrosion resistance, low surface friction, high impact strength, high chemical resistance, and does not absorb moisture. Learn more about UHMW-PE for CNC machining.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride (Type 1) is a highly chemical-resistant synthetic plastic, PVC is commonly in environments exposed to liquids or requires electrical insulation. Learn more about PVC for CNC machining.

ULTEM

ULTEM 1000 ULTEM 2300 ULTEM (Polyetherimide) is a stiff, robust, performance-grade thermoplastic that can operate continuously in high-temperature environments (up to 340°F). It has one of the highest dielectric strengths of commercially available thermoplastics, making it an excellent electric insulator. Since ULTEM is also resistant to chemicals, easily cleaned, and does not absorb moisture, it is often used for medical applications.

Custom CNC

We can source additional CNC plastics from within our network of 10,000 machine shops. If you do not see the material stock you are looking for, please choose “Custom” under the material drop-down in the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine℠. You can then submit your quote for manual review and our expert manufacturing team will reach out.

Surface Finishing

We offer 10+ surface finish options for your CNC prototypes and full production parts. Our extensive options allow you to match finishes to your parts’ specific requirements and applications.

As Machined

al6061 machined surface ra1.6 As machined finish leaves the surface straight from the CNC machine, providing a cost-effective option with tool marks.

Anodizing

al6061 semi gloss yellow anodized Anodizing increases corrosion resistance and wear properties, while allowing for color dyeing, ideal for aluminum parts.

Polishing

sus304 polished vacuum plated silver d Polishing achieves a high gloss finish, reducing surface roughness and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of metals.

Sand Blasting

al6061 sandblasted semi gloss green anodized 120 Sand blasting uses pressurized sand or other media to clean and texture the surface, creating a uniform, matte finish.

Brushed Finish

al6061 hard anodized clear semi gloss A brushed finish creates a unidirectional satin texture, reducing the visibility of marks and scratches on the surface.

Powder Coating

al6061 powder coated white flat glossy medical Powder coating applies a thick, wear-resistant layer with excellent color and texture options, suitable for a variety of surfaces.

Electroplating

al6061 painted black matte Electroplating bonds a thin metal layer onto parts, improving wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and surface conductivity.

Black Oxidize

al6061 hard anodized black ptfe sealed semi gloss Black oxidize is a conversion coating for ferrous metals that improves corrosion resistance and minimizes light reflection.

CNC Machining for Various Industries

From automotive to aerospace, RapidDirect’s CNC machining meets the precise needs of diverse industries. We work with independent inventors, designers, and large-scale companies, serving over 20,000 customers worldwide.

Aerospace

Automotive

Automation

Medical Devices

Robotics

Consumer Products

CNC Machining FAQs

How does CNC machining work?

CNC machining uses subtractive processes, which means feedstock is machined to its final form by subtracting and removing material. Holes are drilled, lots and pathways are bored, and metal stock is shaped into new material with varying tapers, diameters, and shapes. For subtractive manufacturing, shapes are achieved by the subtraction of material. This contrasts with other types such as additive manufacturing — where materials are added, layered, and deformed to a specified shape. It also contrasts with injection molding where the material is injected in a different state of matter, using a mold, and formed to a specified shape. CNC machining is versatile — and can be used with various materials, including metals, plastics, wood, glass, foam, and other composite materials. This versatility has helped make CNC machining a popular choice across industries, enabling designers and engineers to fabricate products efficiently and precisely.

How does CNC machining differ from traditional machining?

In traditional machining, a skilled machinist operates a machine, removing or forming metal. This is done according to specifications provided by designers and engineers, usually through an engineering drawing or blueprint. They use turn wheels, dials, switches, chucks, vices, and a variety of cutting tools made of hardened steel, carbide, and industrial diamond, then use measurement instruments to ensure all of the dimensions are correct.

CNC machining performs the same function as traditional machining — metal cutting, drilling, milling, boring, grinding, and other metal forming and removal functions — but CNC machines use computer numerical control rather than manual control by a machinist. It is automated, driven by code, and developed by programmers. It is about as precise the first time of cutting as the 500th. Widely used in digital manufacturing (and sometimes in low-volume production runs), it can be revised and altered for modifications and different materials.

This type of machining is much more precise and has superseded traditional machining (though not entirely) in manufacturing, fabrication, and industrial production. It uses mathematical coordinates and computing power to achieve the same end with the greatest accuracy. Specifically, computer numerical control uses Cartesian coordinates. These are spatial coordinates — in several dimensions — using coordinates and axes. The automation of cutting tool machines controls its cutting, boring, drilling, or other operation using the numerical control of a computer that reads the coordinates. These coordinates were designated by engineers in the product’s digital drawing and design.

What industries use CNC machining?

CNC machining is widely used across industries. It is common in aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, robotics, agriculture, and other fields that frequently use metal parts. It is also widely used in medical devices, household goods, energy, oil and gas, and other consumer applications. It is one of the most common manufacturing processes in the world.

What is the history of CNC machining?

During World War II, the United States was quickly churning out ships, aircraft, and vehicles for the military. And even once the war ended, production kept up as the country experienced a post-war boom in home construction, infrastructure expansion, and transportation. Naturally, engineers and designers needed tools to help them efficiently meet the growing demand for industrial products.

Enter CNC machining. John T. Parsons, who worked in the production of helicopter rotor blades, was one of the first people to champion CNC machining. He and his colleagues at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio used interpolation curves, which could be applied to machining with computational methods, to achieve the complex tapers required for rotor blades. As Parsons’ company got called upon to make more and more complex aircraft parts, they turned to computational methods and cnc machined parts to achieve their desired shapes.

This was partly the genesis of CNC machining. Building off of Parsons’ innovations, MIT’s Servomechanisms Laboratory later developed a working machine able to use computational methods to fabricate precise machine parts. Their servo-mechanisms were able to use the Cartesian coordinates — the numerical control — to steer the machine and its moving parts, to fabricate with automated precision. Such automation only grew more sophisticated through the rest of the twentieth century and continues to develop today.

What are your inspection options for CNC machining?

We offer (6) different inspection options on the Modify Parts window under the Inspection tab in the quoting platform. All machined and sheet metal parts will receive a standard inspection included in the part price and lead time. See more on our inspection services.

What are your tolerances for CNC machined parts?

+.005”/-.005” local tolerances across most geometries in metals, +/- 0.010″ for plastics. Will vary for large parts, specifically when holding flatness over large parts after heat treatment.
Finish requirements for “As Milled” finish will have a minimum 125 surface finish for CNC parts.
All fabricated parts have a 0.010” dimensional and 1° angular tolerance.
Tapped holes not explicitly called out as Features on the quoted CAD model may be machined to the diameters specified in that model.
No surface treatments (e.g. anodize, bead blast, iridite, powder coat, etc.) will be applied unless you have paid for them and we have specifically acknowledged them.

What are your CNC machining & turning capabilities?

Xometry has significant CNC capabilities in machining through our shop services and the Manufacturing Partner Network. In general, here are some guidelines for machine size but if you do have a quote that pushes to RFQ please make sure to request a quote review so we can take a look!

‣ 5 Axis Machining up to 26″
‣ 4 Axis Machining up to 36″
‣ 3 Axis Machining up to 60″
‣ Dual Spindle Lathes with 32″ Swing, 18″ Max Diameter, and 8″ Chuck
‣ Wire EDM with a part depth of 18″

Do you offer Quick-Turn CNC Machining?

Yes! Xometry offers fast lead times on quick-turn parts, with many parts available in 3-4 days. We offer an expedite option, and our team works closely with you to meet your most urgent deadlines.

Will I need to pay tariffs on internationally produced parts?

Xometry’s checkout price for internationally produced prototypes shipped to the U.S. includes tariffs and shipping for standard parcels. You can learn more by reading our article on understanding international shipping costs.